Where does E. Coli come from????

We're always hearing in the news about an E. coli and salmonella out-break somewhere just about every day.  These can be a very serious health issue especially if not caught in time.

Very often they trace the E.coli Bacteria/salmonella back to a farm or food processing company.  A lot of people I know are really into (or pushing) "Organic" food.  Now don't get me wrong...I thing that Organic food is a good choice...however...people need to know exactly what "Organic" is.  I've done a lot of research on this subject especially since the neighbors decided to become an "Organic" and "CSA" farm.  At first I thought this would be great having an "Organic" farm in my front yard.  On second thought....it's AWFUL!  Here's why...

Every spring as they prepare the ground they spread liquefied cow poop on this field.  Yes...poop would be considered "Organic" but the neighbors also own a dairy farm where this poop/manure comes from and  manure is known to carry MANY pathogenic organisms.  Some potential pathogens for humans found in bovine manure are - Bacteria: Listeria monocytogenes, E coli O157, Salmonella spp., Mycobacterium paratuberculosis; Protozoans: Cryptosporidia parvum, Giardia spp.; Viruses: Bovine Virus Diarrhea Virus, Coronavirus, Foot and Mouth Disease Virus.  And this is the stuff that is being put on the fields to grow "Orgainc" vegetables! Hummmm!

Not only that but...in our front yard is a "Port-a-Jon" for the field hands to use while they are picking the so called "Organic" vegetables that are packed for the "CSA" customers to pick up and also sold to local markets.  We have watched the workers go into the "Jon" and come back out and the hands are never washed!!!!!! There is another potential for E.coli Bacteria/salmonella.  The owners do offer a pail of water for them to "rinse" their hands off but it is hardly ever used and there is not soap or any other product for them to wash with.  I've also seen the process they use to pick and pack these vegetables...they pull a trailer through the field, workers are picking the vegetables and handing them to the workers on the trailer who, in turn, place the vegetables in boxes for pick up or shipping.  Tell me where the washing process is???????  Neither hands nor vegetables are washed before they reach you then YOU touch them...Get my drift?

Now...after seeing all this and reading about all the possibilities....I think I'll take the regular vegetables myself.  Nothing against organic, but if you saw all this you might think twice about where your "Organic" food comes from and who is handling it.